Kalvin Phillips now on radar of Spanish giants after Euro 2020 supershow
Real Madrid will now monitor Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips after his superb tournament debut for England on Sunday.
Phillips’ assist laid on England’s winning goal for Raheem Sterling as Croatia were beaten 1-0 by the Three Lions at Wembley on Sunday.
The 25-year-old was the star of the show, although UEFA’s official man-of-the-match award went to the goalscorer Sterling. Phillips though has been hailed by fans and pundits alike after a display full of maturity in only his ninth cap.
“He’s been our best player, quite easily. He’s been brilliant,” said pundit Jermaine Jenas after Phillips’ stroll at Wembley.
With Declan Rice dropping deeper and offering protection to the defence, Phillips was able to play in a more advanced role.
And such was Phillips’ performance that Real Madrid have taken notice of the ‘The Yorkshire Pirlo’.
A recent report from Defensa Central, claims that Madrid will monitor Phillips for the rest of Euro 2020.
Their report referred to Phillips as ‘Lord of midfield’ after putting Real star Luka Modric in the shade for 90 minutes.
Phillips recorded a 94% passing accuracy, with all of his long passes finding their target.
He was also successful with two of his three attempted take-ons and now is firmly on Madrid’s radar.
New Real boss Carlo Ancelotti wants to strengthen his midfield for next season. The Italian is said to have a big interest in Manuel Locatelli and Nicolo Barella, Phillips though may well find himself on that list.
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New deal likely for Phillips
Phillips has a market value of €30m, according to the Spanish outlet. Leeds though will be desperate to get him tied to a new deal on his return from international duty.
The Leeds-born star has a contract until 2024 after penning a five-year contract in 2019. But the Whites will most likely have to review that deal, worth around £30,000 a week, this summer if Phillips continues his form in the remainder of the tournament.
Phillips has grown in stature over the last three years and Leeds’ gamble to turn down Aston Villa and keep him at the start of their Championship title-winning campaign has proved a masterstroke.
Phillips has admitted he was tempted by a move to Villa Park in the summer of 2019. But he admitted on Football Focus his late grandmother had persuaded him to stay in West Yorkshire.
“I told her about Aston Villa being in touch and she was like ‘oh no, you are not doing that.’ I was like ‘what do you mean? It’s a chance to play Premier League football. I have always wanted to do it.’
“She said ‘you have been at Leeds for ten years now, you were this close to going up. Why not give it one more shot to try and make it up. Try and do something that Leeds fans and your family will never forget and stick it out.’”
Per the source, “Real Madrid will be very attentive to see if it can be a good option for the future.” And Los Blancos will have no qualms in at least tripling that offer.
READ MORE: Phillips sent message by Marcus Rashford after England heroics
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